On November 13, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the visa bulletin for December 2017. There is little progress overall in this bulletin as expected by several people waiting for the priority dates so as to apply for lawful permanent residence in the United States. In addition, there were no changes to the dates for filing. The only changes available were to the final action dates. Those are discussed here.
Overview of Movement in Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Categories
As already discussed, overall movement was nominal.
All Countries of Chargeability except Those Listed
To start with, all employment-based categories remained current for all countries of chargeability.
Mainland China
For mainland China, the employment-based, first preference (EB1) category was current, the employment-based, second preference (EB2)moved forward from June 15, 2013, to July 1, 2013.The EB3 moved by about 3 weeks from February 1, 2014, to March 8, 2014. For EB3-Other Workers category, China saw a forward movement of 2 months from April 1, 2006, to July 1, 2006. The EB4 category remains current. The same can be said for EB4 certain religious workers category. For the EB5 categories (both Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) and Regional Center (I5 and R5)), China saw a forward movement of 14 days from July 1, 2014, to July 15, 2014.
El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the EB1, EB2, employment-based immigration, third preference (EB3) and employment-based, fourth preference (EB4) categories all remained current. The EB4 saw a movement of 7 days from November 01, 2015 to November 8, 2015.
India
For India, all employment-based categories remained current except for EB2and EB3. For employment-based, second preference (EB2) categories, there was a forward movement from October 8, 2008, to November 1, 2008. For employment-based, third preference (EB3) categories, the final action date remained the same at October 15, 2006.
Mexico
For Mexico, the final action dates for all categories except employment-based, fourth preference (EB4) remained current. For EB4 category, the date moved forward to April 22, 2016.
( Read More :E-3 Visa-Understanding the USA E-3 work Visa Process for Australian )
Philippine
Finally, for the Philippine, all the categories remained current except the employment-based, third preference (EB3) categories which date remained the same at January 15, 2016.
Overview of Movement in Final Action Dates for Family Sponsored Categories
There was movement in almost all categories for the FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES final action dates.
Mainland China
For mainland China, the F1 date moved to from January 22, 2011, to February 1, 2011. The F2A date moved forward from November 15, 2015, to December 22, 2015. The F2B date moved by a week from November 15, 2010, to November 22, 2010.The F3 date moved by about 3 weeks from August 15, 2005, to September 8, 2005. For F4 category, China saw a forward movement from May 22, 2004, to June 8. 2004.
India
For India, the F1 final action date changed with a movement from January 22, 2011, to February 1, 2011. The F2A date moved forward from November 15, 2015, to December 22, 2015. The F2B date moved by a week from November 15, 2010, to November 22, 2010.The F3 date moved by about 3 weeks from August 15, 2005, to September 8, 2005. When it comes to the F4 category, India saw a forward movement from October 22, 2003, to November 11, 2003.
Mexico
For Mexico, the F1 final action date saw no movement and remained at April 1, 1996. The F2A date moved forward by 2 weeks from November 1, 2015, to November 15, 2015. The F2B date saw no movement and remained July 22, 1996. The F3 date moved by about 3 weeks from May 8, 1995, to May 22, 1995. For F4 category, Mexico’s final action date remained the same at October 8, 1997.
Philippine
For Philippine, the F1 category final action date moved to January 1, 2005. The F2A date moved forward from November 15, 2015, to December 22, 2015. The F2B date moved by 6 months from January 1, 2007, to July 1, 2006.The F3 date moved by about a week from March 1, 1995, to March 8, 1995. For F4 category, Philippine saw a forward movement from June 8, 1994, to August 1, 1994.
All Countries of Chargeability except Those Listed
Finally, for all countries of chargeability, the F1 date moved to February 1, 2011. In the F2 categories, the F2A date moved to December 22, 2015, and the F2B date moved to November 22, 2010. In the F3 category, the final action date moved to September 8, 2005. Finally, in the F4 category, the final action date moved to June 8. 2004.
( Read More About : US IMMIGRATION VISA PREDICTIONS FOR 2017
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Source
- US Department of State. (2017) “Visa Bulletin for December 2017”.
